Scotland forward Leigh Griffiths has warned his doubters to write him off at their peril.
The Celtic attacker scored his first inter-national goals when he netted two stunning free kicks towards the end of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against England at Hampden.
The goals looked to have secured three points for Gordon Strachan’s men before England attacker Harry Kane broke Scottish hearts by scoring in added time to ensure a 2-2 draw.
Griffiths never doubted his ability to deliver for his national team and, having broken his scoring duck while gaining his 13th cap, he is eager to prove his credentials in the Champions League next term.
Griffiths said: “People can write what they want about me but I don’t let it affect me. I don’t let people knock me down.
“People say I am not good enough. When I first signed for Celtic, there were a lot of people who didn’t want me there, who said I couldn’t cut it.
“There were a lot of people. Supporters, opposition players. But I keep answering people back.
“When I have had challenges, when they bring forwards in, I have shown time and time again that I will work my socks off and when I get chances I will score goals. I think I am only 15 goals off 100 for Celtic now. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get so close to that and I hope I will break it next season.
“I don’t like people saying I am not good enough. A lot of people have said I wasn’t good enough for Scotland. Hopefully, after the performance against England they think I am.
“My next step is the Champions League. If I can get a crack at that and get a good few games under my belt, maybe people will stop questioning me and start realising what a good player I am.”
Griffiths has faced strong competition for Celtic’s attacking position from Moussa Dembele, who netted 32 goals in all competitions in his first season in Scotland.
Griffiths is determined to rise to the challenge of impressing Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers and the 26-year-old added: “I have got a lot of good people behind the scenes who back me and know what I can do. I have got a great manager behind me. He sees me day in and day out. That’s why he has stuck with me.
“He was frustrated when I was injured but I got a run of games at the end of the season. Even then, people say I am going to be out the door. I’ll keep battering the doors down to show I am good enough for the Celtic squad. Whether it is for Celtic or Scotland, if the chances come then I will try and put them away.”
